Oklahoma State could be short-handed as it looks to rebound from its first loss of the season when it hosts Kansas City on Thursday in Stillwater, Okla.
Oklahoma topped the Cowboys 85-76 on Saturday. After the game, Cowboys coach Steve Lutz said his team needs to improve its “defense, intensity and discipline.”
Any adjustments for Oklahoma State (9-1) might come without starting forward Parsa Fallah, who will be a game-time decision. The 6-foot-10 senior had an MRI exam on his back before the game and only played 10 scoreless minutes in the loss to the Sooners.
Fallah averages 13.1 points and 5.8 rebounds and also provides a stout defensive presence.
“Parsa does a good job of covering things up defensively,” Lutz said. “Especially when people are beat off the bounce.”
Kanye Clary led Oklahoma State with 18 points. Christian Coleman added 17 points off the bench and Anthony Roy tallied 16.
Lutz said he wants to see more effort in the three-game stretch against non-conference opponents before Big 12 play starts in January.
“It better or we’re gonna find some different guys to play,” Lutz said. “… We’ve gotta find some guys that are gonna buy into the defensive end, that are gonna be gritty and tough and disciplined and show some heart on a daily basis.”
Kansas City (2-10) is also coming off a loss to Oklahoma, falling 89-67 on Tuesday.
The Roos got a season- and game-high 23 points from Karmello Branch. A junior college transfer from Santa Fe, Branch connected on 6 of 10 3-point attempts against the Sooners.
“Shooting is all confidence and game reps,” Kansas City coach Marvin Menzies said. “We have done more shots where we get a hand up on our guy. We try to shoot at a faster pace. Instead of getting up a whole lot of bad technique shots, we are trying to teach them a little more with their details and mechanics and it seems to be working.”
Jayson Petty leads four Kansas City players in double figures with 11.8 points per game, followed by U’Riyah Evans (11.6), Branch (10.8) and Kasheem Grady II (10.0). Jerome Palm adds 9.3 points and a team-high 7.4 rebounds.
